10 technologies driving the digital workplace

Are we struggling to innovate? Are we attracting the best possible applicants? What is our company offering that differentiates us from the competition? How do we compete with those ‘cool’ new start-ups? How can we better utilize a digital workplace?

These are all questions companies should be asking themselves. And if not, well, you have bigger issues to deal with. In today’s digital-first environment, for any company to survive they must understand the digital revolution isn’t coming, it has arrived.

Matthew W. Cain, vice president and analyst at Gartner, breaks down the top employee-facing technology trends that CIOs will likely use:

Ambient knowledge is the algorithm-driven delivery of customized information based on an employee’s activities. Lost? In layman’s terms, ambient knowledge is how Netflix knows what type of TV show or movie would appeal to you.

Embedded analytics is exactly what you think it would be. It’s data analysis performed by tools usually found in software as a service (SaaS) applications. The seamless availability of analytics for automatic decision making helps with making smart decisions.

Production studio technology empowers employees to be think more creatively. Forget about the likes of Microsoft PowerPoint, production studio technology enables employees to package and deliver sales collateral and internal presentations like never before.

Immersive technologies are the future. Technologies such as augmented and virtual reality are set to go mainstream with uses including training and immersive conference room services. Not to mention, these tech will enable employees to use natural gestures to deal with complex processes.

Bürolandschaft is the German word for office landscape. Yes, the physical office plays a major role in the digital workplace. Best practices include developing additional “smart” workspaces, leveraging the Internet of Things.

Personal clouds are the virtual combining of apps and devices that individuals use based on their personal preference. Not every employee wants to use the same apps, so embracing and managing these technologies is important to secure sensitive or confidential data.

Virtual personal assistants (VPAs) are currently being used for data retrieval and basic tasks. Most people are familiar with assistants such as Cortana, Siri, Google Now and Echo, but VPAs will soon be substitutes for employees, capable of attending meetings and taking notes.

Silo-busters enable employees to solve problems and generate ideas across work silos. As a longstanding challenge, silo-busters are tools that transcend organizational boundaries. One example would be using a popular social network to work collaboratively.

Process hacking is creating citizen developers and integrators to help organizations overcome inefficient legacy processes by giving employees the tools to create solutions through process shortcuts and apps.

Microlearning is the basis for how employees should be trained. From formal to informal training on digital literacy in the right context, be it d through videos, quizzes or text messages. The shorter and more readily available the training, the more successful.